Blackflies

[mudhead]

Was talking with a guy from Loudon, NH today. He told me that the blackflies were out down there. I don't think he had been sniffing glue, because he had the properly disgusted grimace.

I have yet to see them in Acadia. It is very dry here, but it is early.

Anyone have any bug reports for me?

[Cosmo]

Just starting to come out in the valley area in N Mass. The recent hot dry weather may reduce their numbers. 'Sposed to rain next week so we'll see...


Cosmo

[Roland]

I was in the Presidentials, today. No blackflies yet. But, I did swat a 1/2-dozen mosquitoes; big, fat, slow ones. They circled, but didn't bite.

[woodsy]

Anyone have any bug reports for me?

Nope......just a couple dog ticks on me so far. picking them up in the woods., Or are they picking me up?

[Philippe]

I did my 4 mile constitutional today, and there were a few blackflies. If this weather held, I'd expect to be swarmed in a couple weeks, but I don't think it will. I'm on the coast by the Bagaduce River, and we are much milder than say 10 miles inland. The wife came home with a tick on her slacks last week, but it hadn't gotten to gnawing into her yet. Ah, the joys of spring.

[4eyedbuzzard]

None yet here in the CT river upper valley from Hanover, NH to St Johnsbury, VT. A few mosquitos. The wasps and hornets have been pretty active though.

[Mr. Clean]

They are here in southern Maine, they are biting, and they are freaking BIG. Thought they were chickadees at first.

[Amberalicia]

No black flies in Northeast Harbor. Something bit me on the neck during a hike last week. It was much larger than a blackfly and buzzed off after doing the bite. AA

[Chef2000]

I was on AT in October Mt state forest today and no bugs

[Frosty]

Black flies were out in Pawtuckaway yesterday (Friday). Got in my eyes and ears but weren't biting.

[Tinker]

We had a few blackflies on the North-South Trail in RI last weekend, no biters. I heard that the males hatch first, that they don't bite, then the females come out, mate, and begin biting. It may be too early for the females yet.

I have my first official thruhike!!!!!! North-South Trail (78 miles) in four days and three hours.

[alauver]

lots of blackflies in southern va..lots of them

[ki0eh]

I have my first official thruhike!!!!!! North-South Trail (78 miles) in four days and three hours.

Congratulations!! Is it tough to find places to camp, get water, excrete, etc. on that trail?

And to bring it back on topic, what other wildlife did you see?

[Panzer1]

The only good black fly,
is a dead black fly.

Panzer

[Cosmo]

Chuck--
I was out on my section the next day (27th) and they were swarming pretty good at the VT border--eyes ears and nose. As long as I was moving, they were OK, unfortunately I had two big blowdowns to clear just south of the border... No biters yet, fortunately. I wonder what they do when I'm not around to bother.

Saw no hikers (odd for such a pretty Sunday).

Spring ephermerals are just out:
Trout Lilly
Trillium (just buds)
Spring Beauties
Hobblebush was at about half mast. After this rain, things should really start popping.

Cosmo

I was on AT in October Mt state forest today and no bugs

[The Scribe]

Black flies were out in Pawtuckaway yesterday (Friday). Got in my eyes and ears but weren't biting.

One of my favorite places when I lived in Southern NH.

[The Scribe]

The only good black fly,
is a dead black fly.

Panzer

Careful. That's the Maine State Bird you are talking about.

[Tinker]

Congratulations!! Is it tough to find places to camp, get water, excrete, etc. on that trail?

And to bring it back on topic, what other wildlife did you see?

There are two places to camp, one at mile 13.7 and another at mile 36 or something like that. There's a motel right on the trail at mile 53, and after that, nothing legal before the end of the trail at mile 78. Water was not a problem. We excreted (I like the word extruded - more graphic ) at the campsites. Stayed at home on nights 3 and 4. Hiked last 4 miles beginning at 3:30 am (8 miles both ways to return to vehicles). Easy hike. Saw seagulls, blue heron, squirrels, lots of birds, a lady on a horse in Arcadia St. Park. No deer or anything of any size.
Easy hike. Lots of boring road walking, though.

[mudhead]

Bumpers. No biters yet.

Had something go for the ear, but the ear was sweaty. No identifiable parts left after the reflex smush. Acted like a blackflie.

Oh yeah, I have tourists. Earlier and earlier each year it seems.

[4eyedbuzzard]

They're starting to come out here around Littleton, NH (just north of Franconia Notch).